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An alleged burglar was able to steal 11 firearms from Palmerston North police station because a door was left open by officers.

Police have now arrested Alan James Harris, 38, and charged him with theft last Thursday.

Harris was allegedly able to get to the firearms by freely walking into the station and beating down the door to the armoury, Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Clement today told television programme, The AM Show.

"It's unacceptable by any standard, especially our own. Regrettably, an external secure door that should have been secure was left open," Clement said.

The embarrassing loss occurred while gun owners are surrendering military-style semi-automatics (MSSAs) and assault rifles nationally as part of a Government buy-back scheme following the Christchurch mosque shootings.

MSSAs and assault rifles were banned in rapid law changes after the March 15 shootings. An amnesty for handing in the weapons is operating until the end of September.

When the buy-back was announced, Police Minister Stuart Nash sought police assurance they had strong processes for handling the firearms. Police said at the time they were confident they could manage the collection of the guns.

Following the alleged burglary, Nash has sought a new assurance.

However, Clement has urged people to keep hold of their guns until police make a formal announcement on how they will collect and destroy the firearms.

"We've said right from the outset, since the announcement of the legislation changes, just hold your firearms at your own secure locations while we work through a process to identify a safe way for them to be forfeited," he said.

"Handing them into police stations is one of the least preferred options with regard to how we want to take them back."